An Unnoticeable Change
This week we are going to make a small change to the site--probably something you won't even notice but we feel you should know.
When we first launched CropChocolate.com we used Authorize.net to capture and clear funds. A few months ago we switched to PayPal so we could offer our customers PayPal Express. The switch has not been in the best interest of CropChocolate.com or its customers. Here's why. When we set up the payment gateway with PayPal, they informed us that they would retain 30% of sales to cover any disputes or refunds. Many of you know that we have refunded--a lot. What we've seen is that the 30% of sales that is being retained is not being used to refund--PayPal is pulling the money from our business account and retaining the 30%.
As a small business 30% is a lot--in fact it is tying up our cash-flow and makes it hard to acquire new product. We've decided to continue purchasing new product rather than pay ourselves (of course our employees are getting paid) for a few weeks so you'll still see sweet deals.
So here's what's changing; we are still going to offer PayPal Express to those who prefer that method of payment but all other transactions will go through Authorize.net again. You won't notice a difference other than quicker refunds through Authorize.net.
Thanks for all that you contribute to CropChocolate.com and our lives! My wife and I are continually overwhelmed with gratitude for your sweet wishes with our expected son! We like YOU!
Jon N.
More growing pains for you...I'm so sorry. PayPal sounds like NoPal...that sounds like a stinky business practice to me.
ReplyDeleteI refer to PayPal as Pain in the Neck. I had a small issue and I know your team (Jamie and Mary) spent time on trying to resolve it. I know of others that have had issues with PayPal as well. Kudos to you for finding a work around to make everyone happy.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand the money issue. I'm so glad you have come up with a comprise to keep everyone content. I personally have never had a problem with paypal but I will tell you this. When I got my refund from y'all for the shipping issues, they kept it in my paypal account. It never touched my bank account. Good thing I shop online, otherwise it would just get wasted. Your wife is sweet and so are you. Pay yourself and give her a wonderful mother's day!
ReplyDeleteStacey
I agree with the paypal issue 100% Jon! I am new to this site so I think a lot of the issues have been dealt with before I noticed them. However, I sell on Etsy and I hate the fees that Paypal takes. Even when I was refunded something by a seller they sent it as a payment and Etsy took their fee from it! Paypal is the one that needs to look at their policies!
ReplyDeleteWow that is a lot that they are retaining! Didn't realize that they would keep so much!
ReplyDeleteHmmm - That is the second time this week I have dealt with an online company who is struggling with some of PayPal's policies. I thought they were supposed to make things easier. Anyway, I second Elisanlily's comment - pay yourself (you'll need it for all the scrapbooking supplies you will have to buy after your little guy is born)!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is CRAZY! Do what you need to do to survive! I doubt any of us care that much which way we pay since we're getting deal either way. I Hope you get your money back from Paypal!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely need to pay yourselves. You put in the work you should reap the reward (at least some of it). Besides the college tuition account needs filling! :-)
Jon, you are just awesome is all I can say. I am amazed by all that you are putting into this business. That's why we love ya, you know!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind using my credit card to pay and is how I have been paying. The only thing I don't like is that the number and code seems to be storing on my computer (when I go to put it in I type the first number and it all comes up) I have never experienced this before so it is not settings on my computer. It doesn't seem that secure? It hasn't stopped me from buying but I don't like that. Just a comment.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jon
Oh freak. That's rotten! Things worked before with the other company so see you around PayPal!!! :P Thanks for letting us know (like always) so we can keep thinking you're all AWESOME, because you are! :) Good luck with everything!
ReplyDeletei too have issues with paypal...i have an account because some people only want to be paid with paypal...that is fine but as for me who lives in canada, paypal does not give me a fair rate of exchange for the dollar...so not only does is take from you but it takes from me too...i have always preferred to have my cc billed directly. just my two cents...
ReplyDeletethanks for all your hard work.
kim
Paypal stinks. Any person who has dealt with them on a regular basis knows this. They have terrible customer service and their policies border on abusive. I know one scrapbook company, Rusty Pickle, who recently went out of business and they had a terrible incident happen to them regarding paypal. They marked a bunch of their stuff down to very low prices, received 300 orders and paypal shut them down for having an "irregular order pattern" or some such nonsense. In the middle of trying to close their business, they had to switch payment processors. It sounded awful.
ReplyDeleteI, personally, am glad you are not giving that company any of your money anymore.